Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates unveiled the Windows Media Center Extender Technology, during his keynote address at the recently concluded 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The software will power a new generation of products that will extend the Media Center Edition PC experience.

This will allow consumers to access digital entertainment, such as live and recorded television, photos, movies, and music that reside on their Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, from any room in the home -- regardless of where the PC is located. The Media Center Extender technology will not only provide access to rich content and services, but will enable devices throughout the home to utilise the full processing and storage capabilities of the PC. This creates new opportunities for services and provides unprecedented choice and access to content for consumers.

Alienware, Dell, Samsung are among the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs) working with Microsoft to bring these products to market in a variety of hardware factors. They include set-top boxes and televisions. Consumers can enjoy the benefits of the Media Center Extender technology through a set-top box connected to their television or can purchase a new television with this technology fully integrated.

An official release informs that with a Media Center Extender product, consumers who are using a Media Center PC to listen to music, record television programmes, watch photo slide shows and home videos, or download movies on demand can enjoy these experiences on a television in one room even if their Media Center PC is being used at the same time by a family member in another room. By combining the simplicity of a unified digital media library on the Media Center PC with the power of multiple Media Center Extender products that access the Media Center PC simultaneously, Microsoft and industry partners are delivering the most comprehensive, integrated and easy-to-use digital home entertainment solution to consumers.